This tool can be used to provide a rough estimate of your individual blood alcohol concentration (BAC) after consuming a defined amount of alcohol in a single sitting. Please remember this is an estimate and it will not be 100% accurate, as there are a wide range of factors that can affect BAC in individuals (such as the amount of food eaten, type of drinks consumed and metabolic rate) and these are not taken into consideration when using this tool. Therefore, under no circumstances should this tool be used to determine whether you should drive. The only way to be totally sure that you remain under the legal BAC limit is not to drink any alcohol at all.

Your blood alcohol concentration results

Your blood alcohol concentration results

Your total BAC is Persons on a provisional driver’s license have surpassed the legal limit for driving (you must totally abstain from drinking alcohol to maintain a BAC < 0.02).

Your blood alcohol concentration results

Your total BAC is You have reached the legal BAC limit for driving.

Your blood alcohol concentration results

Your total BAC is You have surpassed the legal BAC limit. The alcohol will have reduced your inhibitions and your judgment and movement will be impaired.

Your blood alcohol concentration results

Your total BAC is You may exhibit slurred speech, loss of coordination and balance, impaired vision, emotional instability, nausea and vomiting.

Your blood alcohol concentration results

Your total BAC is You are classified as a high-risk state of intoxication. You may be sleepy, cannot walk without help, lose bladder control, experience loss of memory and lose consciousness.

Your blood alcohol concentration results

Your total BAC is You are at a dangerous level of intoxication that can lead to coma and even death.

References

Do you know when to stop? A driver‘s guide to staying under 0.05 BAC [online]. Canberra, ACT: Australian Transport Safety Bureau; 2011 [cited February 2011]. Available from: URL link

Alcohol and its effects [online]. Parkside, SA: Government of South Australia Health, Drug and Alcohol Services; 2010 [cited February 2011]. Available from: URL link

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Alcohol and your body

Congeners in alcoholic beverages

Congeners are biologically active chemicals (chemicals which exert an effect on the body or brain) and are often contained in alcoholic beverages, in addition to ethanol. Congeners are produced in the process of fermentation or ageing, and may also be added during the production process. Some congeners are thought to contribute to hangover symptoms.

Sperm and alcohol

Alcohol has a range of short and long term health effects, including effects detrimental to the production of sperm. These effects include reduced concentrations of sperm in the semen, and reduced concentrations of sperm which have a normal shape and are able to move or swim.

Cancer and alcohol

Alcohol consumption is one of the leading causes of cancer worldwide, following only tobacco, chronic infections and obesity. The risk of developing some cancers increases even in individuals who drink alcohol moderately. It is generally thought that ethanol is not a carcinogen itself, but rather it stimulates other cancer-causing agents.

Pain and alcohol

Alcohol was one of the first substances found to be effective as a pain reliever. Many people continue to deal with pain by self-medicating with alcohol. Unfortunately, there is a tendency for alcohol to be abused, and the use of alcohol for pain relief can easily cause problems.

Alcohol consumption: short-term health consequences

As the amount of alcohol consumed in a single sitting is increased, the BAC increases proportionately. Once the BAC has surpassed 0.05%, inhibitions are reduced and judgement and movement are impaired.

Alcohol consumption: long-term health consequences

There have been numerous studies investigating the relationship between alcohol consumption and health outcomes and a large list of negative long-term effects have been revealed. There is still much more research that needs to be done to determine the relationship between the pattern and quantity of alcohol consumption and a multitude of health outcomes.

Drinking alcohol

How to help a drunk person

Supporting those with alcohol use problems, whether it be alcohol abuse or dependence, risky alcohol behaviour, injury from alcohol or alcohol poisoning, has obvious benefits. These benefits extend beyond the individual to their families, work places and society. It is important that members of the general public know how to recognise when a person is intoxicated and how to help them if the situation arises.

Hangovers

An alcohol hangover refers to the mental, emotional and physical symptoms which an individual experiences after they have consumed alcohol. A hangover occurs when the person has recovered from the intoxicating effects of alcohol – that is, when the body has metabolised the alcohol and is sober.

Binge drinking

There is a big difference between having a beer or glass of wine, and binge drinking. While the responsible consumption of alcohol may be beneficial, binge drinking is a very serious matter that has important health, personal and community consequences.

Responsible drinking

A large percentage of Australian adults are not aware of the amount of alcohol they can consume before putting their health at risk. It is recommended that men and women drink in moderation and avoid drinking to intoxication.

The health, social, and financial burden

Various cultures may have very different attitudes, beliefs, norms and expectancies about drinking. Beliefs about alcohol are inconsistent and sometimes negative and therefore alcohol is associated with anti-social and violent behaviour. Alcohol-related problems are associated with excessive drinking in any culture. In general, the majority of people consume alcohol in moderation.

Alcohol dependence

Alcohol dependency, also known as alcoholism, is the most common substance use disorder in Australia. Individuals who are alcohol dependent tend to prioritise drinking alcohol over other activities (including seeing friends and going to work). Alcohol dependency can range from mild to severe.

Drink safely on New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is a night when a lot of people attend social gatherings, often large public events. People typically drink alcohol at New Year’s Eve gatherings, and while many people drink responsibly, drinking until drunk or intoxicated is also common amongst people of all ages.